There are always parameters within which choices can be made. At this time of year, with the likihood of flooding rains very remote the extra water in the resevoirs are viewed as Megawatts and $$. Beaver makes some megawatts, then Table Rock, then Empire, then Bull Shoals, why waste the water/megawatts/$$ by simply dumping it if its not necessary, the lakes are doing exactly what they are designed to do.